Becoming a Citizen

November 13

(Act 22:28 NIV) ““Then the commander said, "I had to pay a big price for my citizenship." "But I was born a citizen," Paul replied.””

(Ephesians 2:13-20 NIV) "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. {14} For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, {15} by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, {16} and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. {17} He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. {18} For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. {19} Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, {20} built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."

Many of us were born citizens of our nation. We didn’t have to do anything. Perhaps that is why so many take their freedoms and privileges for granted. But for many, a citizen is something you must become. There are classes to take and oaths to swear. They must renounce all other allegiances, and swear to support, defend, and serve the nation. It works that way with God’s Kingdom. We aren’t born citizens, nor can we buy our citizenship. Someone else already bought it for us. His name is Jesus, and we are called to covenant with Him, renouncing all other allegiances, and promising our support and service. Many Christians neglect this today. We desire the privileges of citizenship, but reject the loyalty and the service. This produces a weak and self-serving church. God is looking for some people who will transfer their loyalty and become citizens of His Kingdom. Can He count on you? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day